Recycling and Zero Waste

Our role is helping effect a cultural transformation in the way we design, consume, and dispose of products, with a focus on "better, not more."

In 1970, we developed one of the country's first community-based recycling programs, and today we provide recycling and reuse services through our nonprofit subsidiary, Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA). RAA collects curbside recyclables in Ann Arbor, and runs the Drop-Off Station, ReUse Center, and the Recovery Yard, allowing households and businesses to recycle or reuse their unwanted items.

Today we seek to reduce and eventually eliminate waste from the material economy so that all products are reused, repurposed, recycled– or not even created in the first place. In this field, our direct services are provided in Ann Arbor and southeast Michigan– and our education and advocacy efforts have a broader scope.

News

2017 has seen unprecedented rollbacks on public health and the environment. Ever wonder what you can do? Here are some concrete ways to create positive impact on climate, as well as other critical environmental health issues in 2018.

A group of Michigan lawmakers has proposed new legislation that could impact the health and wellness of students across the state. The seven proposed bills target K-12 public school districts to increase protections for indoor air and water quality, site environmental quality...

In May 2015, Recycle Ann Arbor was awarded a $19,500 "pollution prevention" grant from the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to expand Zero Waste events throughout Washtenaw County.

55,000 lbs is a lot of trash. It’s hard to imagine how big a pile it’d make. That’s how much recyclable material student-led teams in Dearborn Public Schools diverted from landfill last school year. This school year, they aim to divert double that amount.

Given that the fastest-growing job in the U.S. between 2012 and 2016 was solar photovoltaic installer, and that 2016’s fastest growing job was wind energy technician, today’s students must be prepared to be the future leaders of our clean energy economy.